Which of the following was a negative consequence of the Columbian Exchange?

The spread of diseases was a significant negative consequence of the Columbian Exchange. When Europeans arrived in the Americas, they brought with them various infectious diseases such as smallpox, measles, and influenza, to which the indigenous populations had no immunity. This led to catastrophic demographic shifts, as these diseases decimated indigenous communities, resulting in a dramatic loss of life.

The scale of these epidemics was immense, and they greatly weakened the social structures of many Native American societies, making them more vulnerable to conquest and colonization. The impact of this exchange in terms of health was profound, leading not only to immediate loss of life but also long-term consequences for the indigenous cultures and societies across the continents.

In contrast, while increased trade routes, development of new crops, and cultural exchanges had important effects, they were largely positive aspects of the Columbian Exchange that contributed to global economic integration and agricultural diversity. However, the spread of diseases represents a stark and tragic repercussion that overshadowed many of the other exchanges occurring during this transformative period in history.